Gaura plant named &#39;GBAPI01-0&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Gaura lindheimeri  cultivar named ‘GBAPI01-0’ is disclosed, characterized by exceptionally short plants of very compact habit, stems and foliage flushed with anthocyanin coloration as well as short peduncles and dark pink flowers. The new variety is a  Gaura , and is normally used as an ornamental garden or container plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Gaura lindheimeri

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘GBAPI01-0’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery. The variety was discovered as a seedling of unknown parentage at a research nursery by the inventor, Frank Hammond, a citizen of Australia. The new variety was discovered by the inventor November of 2006.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ was first performed by vegetative cutting in Victoria, Australia in July of 2007. ‘GBAPI01-0’ has since produced more than 5 generations by vegetative cuttings and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘GBAPI01-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘GBAPI01-0’ as a new and distinct Gaura lindheimeri cultivar:

1. Exceptionally short plants.

2. Very compact habit.

3. Stems and foliage flushed with anthocyanin coloration.

4. Short peduncles.

5. Dark pink flowers.

PARENT COMPARISON

Parent varieties are unknown.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Pink’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,189, in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ produces a darker pink colored flower than the comparator. In addition to a different flower color, the new cultivar ‘GBAPI01-0’ is shorter in height than the comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘GBAPI01-0’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is a commercial 6 inch pot. The plant shown is approximately 12 weeks old.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘GBAPI01-0’ plants grown in a commercial controlled greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 28° C. during the day and 18° C. to 22° C. at night. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Gaura lindheimeri ‘GBAPI01-0’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—15 to 20 days at approximately 20 °             C.         -   Root description.—Fibrous, colored near RHS Greyed-Orange             165D. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Very compact, upright perennial.         -   Pot size of plant described.—6 inch.         -   Height.—25 cm.         -   Plant spread.—45 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Rapid.         -   Branching characteristics.—Basal branching, or nearly at             soil level. Lateral branches produced approximately 2.0 cm             above pinch to main stem. Upper lateral branches not             produced.         -   Length of primary branches.—Approximately 17 cm.         -   Diameter of branches.—Approximately 0.35 cm.         -   Quantity of primary branches.—Average 30.         -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches.—Form: Irregular             round, some flat sides. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.             Texture: Scant pubescence. Strength: Strong, somewhat             flexible.         -   Internode length.—Average 1.8 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple Quantity: Approximately             8 fully developed per branch and 12 immature leaves. Average             Length: 4.5 cm. Average Width: 1.1 cm. Shape of blade:             Elliptic Apex: Acute Base: Attenuate Margin: Entire. Texture             of top surface: Scant pubescence visible under             magnification. Texture of bottom surface: Glabrous. Aspect:             Undulating. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS             Greyed-Purple 187A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS             Greyed-Purple 187B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS             Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B.             Venation: Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Green 137C, flushed near base Red-Purple 59B. Venation color             under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Petiole: Sessile. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Spring through Summer.         -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit.—Single zygomorphic             flowers produced on terminal and axillary racemes.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self Cleaning.         -   Bud.—Shape: Cylindric Length: 1.5 cm Diameter: 0.3 cm Color:             Near RHS Red-Purple 58A.         -   Raceme.—Diameter: Average 4 cm. Length: Average 10 cm.             Flowers per raceme: 5 to 7.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: Average 3.5 cm. Length: Average 2.5             cm.         -   Corolla/petals.—Quantity of Petals: 4 Arrangement:             Symmetrical whorl. Petal Length: 1.9 cm. Petal Width:             1.0 cm. Corolla tube length: 1.8 cm. Corolla tube diameter:             0.2 cm. Texture: Glabrous Petal Apex: Acute Petal Base:             Attenuate Petal shape: Spatulate Margin: Entire Aspect:             Upwardly cupped.         -   Petal color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS             Red-Purple N66A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N66A.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Lower             surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C.         -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Lower             surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C.         -   Outer corolla tube color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 58A.         -   Inner corolla tube color.—Near RHS Green 137A with heavy             flush Red-Purple 58A.         -   Calyx/sepals.—Quantity per flower: 4 Shape: Linear Length:             1.7 cm Width: 0.3 cm Apex: Acute Base: Truncate Margin:             Entire Texture: Glabrous Aspect: Undulating and strongly             reflexed back. Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple             59C. Lower Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 7.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately             0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Green 137A flushed with Red-Purple             58A. Orientation: Straight, approximately 15 degree angle             from stem. Texture: Glabrous. Strength: Strong.         -   Pedicel.—Not present, directly attached by corolla tube to             peduncle.         -   Fragrance.—Very faint. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 8 Filament length: Approximately 1.3 cm.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Linear Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Color:             Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A. Pollen: Color: Near RHS             Orange-White 159A. Quantity: Scant.         -   Pistil.—Number: 1.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 73C with upper portion Red-Purple             67A. Stigma: Shape: Bi lobed Color: Near RHS Yellow-White             158B. Ovary: Ovary Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187B. Ovary             Length: Approximately 1 cm Ovary diameter: Approximately 0.1             cm Ovary shape: Linear. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Not observed to date.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor             susceptibility to diseases or pests has been observed in             this variety.         -   Temperature tolerance.—The new variety tolerates             temperatures from approximately −5° to 38° C. Length:             2.5 cm. Style: Length: 2.5 cm. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gaura plant named ‘GBAPI01-0’ as herein illustrated and described. 